Diaphragm valve and methods and accessories therefor

Abstract

Various diaphragm valves and accessories therefore are disclosed herein which improve on existing diaphragm valves and accessories and overcome many of the shortcomings of same. Related methods to these valves and accessories and/or their manufacture, assembly or use are also disclosed.

1 . A method of monitoring fluid flow in an irrigation system comprising:
 establishing at least one normal fluid flow parameter through the irrigation system via an initial learning period;   monitoring current fluid flow through the irrigation system;   determining, by a processor based apparatus, if the current fluid flow is consistent with the at least one normal fluid flow parameter; and   taking action in response to a determination that the current fluid flow is not consistent with the at least one normal fluid flow parameter.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein taking action comprises at least one of shutting a valve and providing an alert that current fluid flow is not consistent with the at least one parameter. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the alert comprises at least one of sending a notice to a user, triggering an audible alarm, and displaying a visual indicator. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein sending a notice comprises transmitting a signal to a remote device. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein establishing the at least one normal fluid flow parameter comprises activating a learn mode through an input and determining what normal fluid flow through the irrigation system is during a period of time when the system is known to be operating normally. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein establishing the at least one normal fluid flow parameter comprises adding an upper and lower threshold buffer to the determined normal fluid flow through the irrigation system to account for acceptable variances in fluid flow rate due to pressure changes within the irrigation system. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein establishing the at least one normal fluid flow parameter comprises automatically collecting data regarding fluid flow rate upon initiation of flow through the irrigation system and using this data to set the at least one normal fluid flow parameter upon actuation of an input. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the processor determines if the data is within a range of acceptable flow rate data for use in establishing the at least one normal fluid flow parameter and provides an indication if the data is within the range. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein providing the indication comprises illuminating a light. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the processor determines if the data is acceptable for establishing the at least one normal fluid flow parameter and provides an indication if the data is acceptable. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein automatically collecting data regarding fluid flow rate upon initiation of flow through the irrigation system comprises continuously collecting the data and using a statistical measure of the collected data to establish the at least one normal fluid flow parameter. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein using a statistical measure comprises using a median or mean of the data to establish the at least one normal fluid flow parameter. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein establishing the at least one normal fluid flow parameter is accomplished with the single actuation of an input. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the single actuation of an input comprises actuating the input for a predetermined amount of time to activate a learn mode. 
     
     
         15 . A diaphragm valve comprising:
 a valve body having an inlet, an outlet and an internal passage between the inlet and outlet;   a diaphragm assembly positioned between the inlet and outlet in the internal passage of the valve body, the diaphragm assembly being movable between a closed position where fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet is blocked and an open position where fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet is permitted;   a control chamber disposed on one side of the diaphragm assembly;   a control chamber entrance passage to permit fluid to flow into the control chamber;   a control chamber exit passage extending from the control chamber to permit fluid flow from the control chamber;   a valve positioned to selectively prevent and permit fluid flow through the control chamber exit passage from the control chamber to control closing and opening of the diaphragm assembly to control flow through the diaphragm valve; and   a flow meter coupled to the diaphragm valve for learning normal fluid flow parameters, monitoring fluid flow and moving the diaphragm assembly to the closed position when fluid flow is inconsistent with the normal fluid flow parameters is detected.   
     
     
         16 . The diaphragm valve of  claim 15  wherein the flow meter includes a controller programmed to automatically determine if the fluid flow that is inconsistent with the normal fluid flow parameters is indicative that the irrigation system is being purged or winterized and enters a suspend mode for a predetermined period of time without moving the diaphragm assembly to the closed position. 
     
     
         17 . The diaphragm valve of  claim 16  wherein a very high detected fluid flow reading is indicative that the irrigation system is being purged or winterized and the flow meter remains in the suspend mode for a period of time sufficient to complete the purge or winterization of the irrigation system. 
     
     
         18 . The diaphragm valve of  claim 16  wherein the flow meter is pre-programmed with purge or winterization flow rate data that is used to determine if the fluid flow that is inconsistent with the normal fluid flow parameters is indicative that the irrigation system is being purged or winterized. 
     
     
         19 . The diaphragm valve of  claim 16  wherein the flow meter is programmed to learn purge or winterization flow rate data for the specific irrigation system the flow meter is used with and this learned purge or winterization flow rate data is used to determine if the fluid flow that is inconsistent with normal fluid flow parameters is indicative that the irrigation system is being purged or winterized. 
     
     
         20 . The diaphragm valve of  claim 15  wherein the flow meter includes a controller programmed to automatically detect fluid flow and determine if the detected fluid flow is reliable for use in establishing the normal fluid flow parameters.